Clinical knee findings in floor layers with focus on meniscal status.
BACKGROUND
The aim of this study was to examine the prevalence of self-reported and clinical knee morbidity among floor layers compared to a group of graphic designers, with special attention to meniscal status.


METHODS
We obtained information about knee complaints by questionnaire and conducted a bilateral clinical and radiographic knee examination in 134 male floor layers and 120 male graphic designers. After the exclusion of subjects with reports of earlier knee injuries the odds ratio (OR) with 95% confidence intervals (CI) of knee complaints and clinical findings were computed among floor layers compared to graphic designers, using logistic regression. Estimates were adjusted for effects of body mass index, age and knee straining sports. Using radiographic evaluations, we conducted side-specific sensitivity analyses regarding clinical signs of meniscal lesions after the exclusion of participants with tibiofemoral (TF) osteoarthritis (OA).


RESULTS
Reports of knee pain (OR = 2.7, 95% CI = 1.5-4.6), pain during stair walking (OR = 2.2, 95% CI = 1.3-3.9) and symptoms of catching of the knee joint (OR = 2.9, 95% CI = 1.4-5.7) were more prevalent among floor layers compared to graphic designers. Additionally, significant more floor layers than graphic designers had clinical signs suggesting possible meniscal lesions: a positive McMurray test (OR = 2.4, 95% CI = 1.1-5.0) and TF joint line tenderness (OR = 5.4, 95% CI = 2.4-12.0). Excluding floor layers (n = 22) and graphic designers (n = 15) with radiographic TF OA did not alter this trend between the two study groups: a positive McMurray test (OR = 2.2, 95% CI = 1.0-4.9), TF joint line tenderness (OR = 5.0, 95% CI = 2.0-12.5).


CONCLUSIONS
Results indicate that floor layers have a high prevalence of both self-reported and clinical knee morbidity. Clinical knee findings suggesting possible meniscal lesions were significant more prevalent among floor layers compared to a group of low-level exposed graphic designers and an association with occupational kneeling could be possible. However, causality cannot be confirmed due to the cross-sectional study design.
Rytter
Søren
S
Department of Orthopaedics, Regional Hospital Viborg, Denmark. soeren.rytter@viborg.rm.dk
Jensen
Lilli Kirkeskov
LK
Bonde
Jens Peter
JP
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D018771:Arthralgia / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000209:etiology; D001696:Biomechanical Phenomena; D003196:Computer Graphics; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D003718:Denmark; D005430:Floors and Floorcoverings; D006306:Health Surveys; D006801:Humans; D015994:Incidence; D007718:Knee Injuries / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000209:etiology; D007719:Knee Joint / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000473:pathology* / Q000503:physiopathology; D016015:Logistic Models; D008297:Male; D008592:Menisci, Tibial / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000473:pathology* / Q000503:physiopathology; D008875:Middle Aged; D016272:Occupational Health; D011859:Radiography; D016059:Range of Motion, Articular / Q000502:physiology; D012307:Risk Factors